Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-20
CITY AND DISTRICT.
TALKING ABOUT ANARCHISTS.
a remark Which Raised q Discussfov
In the Federation Of Labor.

Mr. OYSTER OBJECTS 10 EXCLUDING THE ANARcH-
ISIS FROM THE CRIMINAL CLAssEs-MR. MILFORD
sPoHNs ADDREsS-HERR MOST AND THE FEDRRA-
ToN-THE SUNDAY Law.
The Federation Of Labor held an open meeting
Ias1 night at Hilton Hall, the president, Mr. T. s.
Dennams In the chair. Mr. Milford SpOhn OF the
brlcKlayers' Union, addressed the meeting at con-
SIDERABLE length, arguing that Notwithstanding
'he DoaSted civilization OF the 10th century, there
was something wrong. 1t was not a true civiliza-
tion' ne claimed, that legalized wrong and out
iaweo rlgnt. He described evils flowing from the
existence OF monopolies and political corruption.
IL was not, he said, in the wards of the peniten-
lary mat the dangerous classes of this country
are 10 De found. In the gambling room Of the
STOCK 1obbers, in the council room OF the railroad
PRESIDENT and at the headquarters Of the political
DoSS the danger lies. He held that there was
something wrong, when, after century of legisla-
uon IN America, there were class distinctions
Ine extremely rich the extremely poor, and the
the revolution OF '93.
THE RED FLAG
one OF the results of existing conditions, Mr..
spohn remarked, was that men have been observed
paFadlng the streets with red flags. After quoting
some OF the most alarming utterances OF the
anaIcnists, M. Spohn remarked that there must
Ue many Things wrong when such utteranceS are
lOICeu from men "whO are neither pauperS nor
Criminals" Such conditions, he said, would con-
unue SO long as capital, the creature of labor,
oS1tlOn that the interests OF capital and labor are
mutual prevailed.
Mr. OYSTER PROTESTS
Wnen Mr.. Spohn concluded vote of thanks was
proposed and carried; but before the motion was
put Mr.. Z. w. Oyster rose and remarked that Mr..
Spohn mad made what seemed to him to be very
extraordinary statement, in view of the action OF
la0Of organizations here, In speaking OF the an
alGhlsts VINO countenanced assassination as
neither paupers nor criminals. The expressed
view OF labor organizations here he said was that
theSe men were criminals.
been 60 on not eau any man criminal until he has
Deen convicted OF crime" said Mr., SpOhn. 81
USED Inc word IN Its legal meaning"
MI; oyster said he had no hesitation himself,
ana ne believed he expressed the sentiments OF
tne LABOR organizations of the city, In denouncing
men VINO advocated views such as were put forth
Dy tne chicago anarchists, as belonging to the
criminal class.
herr AosTs VISIT TO WASHINGTON.
several years ago, Mr.. Oyster said, when Herr
Most came to Washington, he tried to impose him.
self on the Federation OF Labor, and an effort was
made to have him address the Federation. A
statement, however, was made before the Fedora
tion showing the position in which the Organiza-
tion would be placed, and 1t was unanimously de-
cided not 10 admit him. Afterward he spoke at
Cosmopolitan Hall, but not under the auspices OF
the Federation. MIR. Oyster said that at that time
he had an interview with Most. and found that he
y,
IMAM the press represented him. He argued that
IL was only by blOodshed that the work1ngmen
couid accomplish anything. Most said that the
ballots or the WOrk1ngmen amounted to nothing
when they could be bought up by the capitalists,
and he (Mr. OYSTER suggested to him that work.
1ngmen with musketS could be bought up as well
as work1ngmen with ballots
EXPRESSIONS BY wORKINGMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS.
Mr.. oyster read various resolutions adopted by
the Federation Of Labor and by the public meeting
OF workingmen here in 1885, denOuncing other than
peaceful and lawful means OF enecting the ends
That organized labor has In view. He would dis
IKE, ne said, to see any such utterance that OF
MT Sponns go out TO the public without calling
attention to the stand which organized labor had
taken In this matter.
Mr.. August Donath remarked that 1t was useless
TO endeavor to so conduct themselves as to silence
the press, when 1t chooses to be hostile which was
pretty much all the time. All Intelligent men
knew that the laws were safe in the hands of the
Workingmen. They knew and the world knew
That the means used by the workingmen were le-
climate.
THE SUNDAY LAW.
Before adjourning resolution was adopted set
ting forth that "the recent Sunday closing order
OF the Commissioners Of the District is beneficial
to large number OF wage workers and others, in
That 1t anOrdS needed day OF rest and relax
alton, this Federation OF Labor does cordially ap-
prove the said order OF the Commissioners; that
the secretary notify the Commissioners of the ac-
fiOn Of the